VETERAN GREENPEACE VESSEL VEGA JOINS RAINBOW WARRIOR FOR NUCLEAR TEST SITE PROTEST

Saturday July 8, 1600 hours local time -- (GP) The Rainbow Warrior rendezvoused today with veteran Greenpeace protest vessel Vega outside the Moruroa test site while four French military ships waited in the vicinity tracking Greenpeace's movements. Military aircraft have also been reported in the area.

The two Greenpeace vessels, which are to be joined by the Danish ship Bifrost, are currently hove to an estimated 25 miles off Moruroa atoll, where France plans to resume nuclear testing.

The Vega sailed to Moruroa in 1972, 1973, 1981, 1982 and 1985. In 1972 the Vega was rammed by a French frigate and in 1973 a Greenpeace activist nearly lost an eye after being badly beaten by French commandos.

As the two vessels met 40 miles from the test site, French military surveillance moved closer, with the frigate Vendemiaire closing in from a 12 mile range toward the two sailing vessels at a speed of 15 knots. It is currently one nautical mile from the Rainbow Warrior.

"Greenpeace's commitment to oppose nuclear tests, by whatever nation, is absolute and uncompromising regardless of the scale of military force which opposes us," Greenpeace's Stephanie Mills said from on board the SV Rainbow Warrior. "We have always said that as long as France tested at the atoll, we would return to Moruroa. The participation of the Vega in our protest voyage signals Greenpeace's consistent challenge over more than 20 years to those who wish to continue the madness of nuclear testing."

The Vega, which sailed from Panama five weeks ago, is a 12 metre ketch.

Further details: Greenpeace home page on the Internet, http:/www.greenpeace.org/.